Doug / 10-07-2011 / Food-borne Illnesses

Top Five Deadliest Food-Borne Illnesses

Listeria is all of a suddenly the most popular word on the news and Internet. Listeria is one of many types of bacteria that have been found in the food supply, triggering food poisoning and sometimes death. It seems as if the entire U.S. food supply has experienced some type of bacteria, from listeria-contaminated spinach to salmonella contaminated ground turkey meat.

Here are the five deadliest types of food-borne bacteria that could harm you or your loved ones:

Listeria
Twenty deaths have been traced back to eating contaminated cantaloupes in the past weeks. Listeriosis is the deadliest bust least common than some other kinds of food-borne illnesses. Listeria does not cause stomach cramps, diarrhea, nausea, or of the any other typical sign of food poisoning. People who contract listeriosis often do not know they have it for a long time, until the listeriosis shows up as something much more serious, often requiring hospitalization. For the elderly or people with compromised immune systems or pregnant women, listeriosis can be particularly deadly or it can be harmful to the unborn baby.

E. coli
Last month, an E.coli outbreak occurred from strawberries picked on a local Oregon farm. E.coli has also been found on spinach and fresh-bagged lettuce. E. coli O157:H7 is dangerous to young children and older adults, and can cause them to develop a life-threatening form of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).

Salmonella
Salmonella is a common type of food-borne illness that is often associated with eggs and polutry. Recently, 36,000 pounds of ground turkey was recalled because of salmonella contamination. Salmonella does cause stomach cramps, diarrhea, nausea, or of the any other typical sign of food poisoning.

Staph Bacteria
This spring tests of meat on grocery store shelves revealed high levels of staph bacteria, the type of bacteria that causes skin and respiratory infections. The Translational Genomics Research Institute found Staphylococcus aurea in 136 samples of meat in four states and Washington, D.C. The bacteria were resistant to at least one type of antibiotic, and 52 percent were resistant to three or more types.

Hepatitis A
The worst outbreak of Hepatitis A ever reported in the U.S. claiming more than 660 victims including four fatalities came from green onions served at a Chi-Chi’s restaurant in Pennsylvania. Contaminated food is a serious route of transmission for this deadly bacteria.

An Orlando injury attorney can provide guidance if you have suffered due to a food poisoning outbreak.

Disclaimer: All verdicts and settlements listed here are gross amounts before deductions for attorney fees and costs. Past results do not guarantee similar results in the future. Most cases result in a lower recovery. It should not be assumed that your case will have as beneficial a result. Before choosing a lawyer, ask for written information about the lawyer's legal qualifications and experience.